Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-02-14
THE HANDS OF JUSTICE
GETTING A GRIP ON THE MURDEReRS
OF KELLOGG NICHOLS.

Two Men who Confess to Having Han
died the Stolen Money Henry
Place and Telling Gauzy stories-Pink-
erton's Persistence Rewarded.
CHICAGO, Feb. "A. Tho long hunt for the
marderer of kellogg Nichols the express
messenger who was killed by train robbers on
the Rock Island railway in March, 1885,
seems to be coming TO a close with the pros
pect that the guilty will be brought to
justice. At any rate two men are now in
jail at Morris, Ills, charged with completely
Schwartz and Newton Watts, brakemen on
the train upon which the robbery was COM
mitted. Schwartz was arrested in this city
some time ago ostenslbly for bigamy, but
really to hold him on the graver charge. He
was taken to Morris, arraigned and sent to
jail, but all efforts to obtain a confession
from him were unavailing. The Pinkertons
were convinced that they had one of the
men, and kept at work, and finally were re-
warded for their persistence.
1t will be remembered that one of the Cir
cumstances that lead to the suspicion that
iN'LN lltt q httii'l III tn5 was tn1
fact that month or two afterward he
seemed to have good deal more money
than his salary would give him. lie was
| known to have spent several $50 bills and
the stolen money was largely Of that demon
ination. Acting upon this fact about a week
ago Mr.. Pinkerton sent word to Mrs.
Schwartz that he wanted to see her She
| called at the agency and there was questioned
by W. A. Pinkerton. For long time she
was proof against the skill of the detective,
| hut finally told what she knew. This was
| that her husband had brought home to her
| 5000 few days after the robbery and told
| her that he had found it in the baggage
car. They kept it month OF two and then
| spent few hundreds OF it, later giving
Newton Watts about $500 to keep for
| them, Schwartz having become certain that
he was being Swallowed by detectives
! Mrs. Schwartz was taken to Morris and
| the detectives then tackled Schwartz He
| was mum, refusing to tails except to deny
| but at last was confronted with his wife
| who begged him TO tell the truth After
! long struggle he concluded to ''oun upn HI
confirmed his wife's story, except that h,
said he never had but s., 600 and that h,
/ A'Liid ~ uiidVA oNstb III a oii4thAAE Wv
| night after the robbery. He said he did mo-
| know whose money it was and il was none
| of his business to suppose that it was part 81
the stolen funds He therefore kept it unit
! last May, when as no one claimed 1t he spen
some of it, and Immediately became awar
that detectives were shadowing him III
then burned up sS0j of the money and CAV,
u package containing $1,000 to Watts Il
keep for him, not telling Watts what was il
the package. Where that money now is he
would not say, but sent the officers to New,
ton Watts for confirmation OF his story
When Watts was seen he declared h
knew nothing of the matter, and said h
would go TO Morris and tell Schwartz so H
was taken there and Schwartz urged him +
tell what he knew, and after much resist
ance he finally confirmed Schwartz's story blu
absolutely refused to tell where the money i,
He was accordingly put in jail.
The detectives now say that the evidence
sufficient to prove that Schwartz, Watts an
a third party were privy to the murder. an
that each received $1,000, making total @
S2l 800, which was the amount stolen. Bot
Watts and Schwartz maintain their innC
cence Of any connection with the murder
however Watts had charge Of the baggage
car the night Of the robbery.